5 Biggest Cities in North Carolina: How Well Do You Know The Tar Heel State? 5 Biggest Cities in North Carolina: How Well Do You Know The Tar Heel State? By Karan Moses Robinson | Monday, 13 Apr 2015 03:49 PM Close A A There are a couple of reasons why North Carolina may be referred to as the Tar Heel State. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , during the Revolutionary War, British troops crossed a river in a shallow area and got tar on their heels that may or may not have been dumped there by North Carolinians to slow the British. Another story from the Civil War states that North Carolina soldiers threatened to put tar on the heels of their comrades to keep them from retreating in battle. Today, if you're a North Carolina resident, you're a Tar Heel. VOTE NOW: Is North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory Doing a Good Job? Here are the five biggest cities in North Carolina: 1. Charlotte: With a population of 751,999, Charlotte is the state's largest city.

Before it was settled by European immigrants in 1750, the area was home to the Catawba Indians. It was established as a city in 1768, and grew rapidly during the Civil War because its many cotton mills were often built near railroad lines. 2. Raleigh: This city of approximately 412,311 people is the capital city of North Carolina and is the home to many cultural and historical sites, including the North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Art, and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The capital city was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who sent the first colonists to North Carolina. 3. Greensboro: This city has a population of 270,063 and is the third largest city in North Carolina and was not always the county seat. It was changed from Martinsville to Greensboro in the early 19th century because the populace desired a more central location. The first co-educational school, New Garden Boarding School, was founded by Quakers there in 1837. By 1888, it became Guilford College. VOTE NOW: Should the Government Be Doing More to Promote Tourism in America?

4. Winston-Salem: The fourth largest city in North Carolina, Winston-Salem boasts a population of 232,143. The county seat of Forsyth County was formed by combining the towns of Winston and Salem, established 1849 and 1766, respectively. Winston was named for Colonel Joseph Winston, who fought during the Revolutionary War and who would become a senator and United States House of Representatives member. The name Salem means "peace," originating from the Latin "Shalom." 5. Durham: This is the fifth largest city in North Carolina, with a population of 231,730. Tobacco was important to Durham. The Duke Family founded the American Tobacco Company, which spurred economic growth in the area and has impacted higher education, with an ongoing endowment benefiting Duke University. The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co., founded in 1898, was the first African-American owned company in the nation. What does Tar Heel State mean?

definition, meaning and pronunciation (Free English Language Dictionary) American state (one of the 50 states of the United States) Meronyms (parts of "Tar Heel State"): Great Smoky Mountains National Park (a national park in Tennessee and North Carolina that includes the highest mountain in the eastern United States) Goldsboro (a town that is a major tobacco center in eastern North Carolina) Greensboro (a city of north central North Carolina) Greenville (a city in eastern North Carolina; tobacco market) Wilmington (a town in southeastern North Carolina on the Cape Fear River) Winston-Salem (a city of north central North Carolina) Blue Ridge ; Blue Ridge Mountains (a range of the Appalachians extending from southern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia) Cape Fear River (a river in North Carolina that flows southeast to the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Fear) Fayetteville (a town in south central North Carolina) Durham (a city of north central North Carolina; site of Duke University) Charlotte ; Queen City (the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina) Chapel Hill (a town in central North Carolina; site of the University of North Carolina) Asheville (a town in western North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains west of Charlotte) capital of North Carolina ; Raleigh

 (capital of the state of North Carolina; located in the east central part of the North Carolina) Hatteras Island (a barrier island running parallel to the North Carolina shore) Cape Hatteras (a promontory on Hatteras Island off the Atlantic coast of North Carolina) Cape Fear (a cape in southeastern North Carolina extending into the Atlantic Ocean) Pee Dee ; Pee Dee River (a river that flows through central North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina to the Atlantic Ocean) Holonyms ("Tar Heel State" is a part of...): America ; the States ; U.S.

; U.S.A. ; United States ; United States of America ; US ; USA (North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776) Holonyms ("Tar Heel State" is a member of...): North Carolina - The Tar Heel State North Carolina - The Tar Heel State North Carolina - The Tar Heel State Capital City: Esse Quam Videri (To Be Rather Than To Seem) Statehood: Taken from "Carolus," the Latin word for Charles and named after England's King Charles I. Largest Cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham Border States: 48,718 sq. mi., 29th largest State Bird: State Song: The Old North State The first European settlement in North Carolina is the famous Lost Colony of Roanoke Island that vanished sometime after 1587. North Carolina is the northern portion of the original 1629 land grant made by England's King Charles I, which was named in his honor (Carolus is Latin for Charles).

North Carolina joined the Union in 1789 and is the 12th of the original 13 states. Today, North Carolina is a growing research center and banking state. The capital of the "Tar Heel State" is Raleigh, and the dogwood blossom is the state flower. Source: Library Of Congress Incorrect username and password combination. Please try again North Carolina Fun Facts - History, Statistics and More About North Carolna North Carolina Fun Facts North Carolina Fun Facts Things You Never Knew You Didn't Know About the Tar Heel State The State Flag of North Carolina. Courtesy of the Office of the Governor of North Carolina By Artie Beaty Updated May 01, 2016. If there's one thing you can say about North Carolina, it's that we've got our share of history. As one of the original 13 colonies, we were the 12th state to join the union (but the last to leave it during the Civil War). We're the home of two U.S. Presidents, and possibly three (and maybe even four depending on who you ask). We're also the home of the first powered flight (the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk).

From the largest county (Mecklenburg) to the smallest (Tyrrell), the highest point (Mount Mitchell) to the lowest (the entire coast at sea level), North Carolina is a pretty diverse state. We're the home of some pretty awesome "first" (including flight, public university, mini golf course and Krispy Kreme doughnut). Whether you're curious as to who our governor is, how many electoral votes we have, just how big North Carolina is, or what our state symbols are, here's everything you ever wanted to know about North Carolina, and plenty of information that you never knew you didn't know. continue reading below our video Best Ride Sharing Apps of 2015 Statehood: Nov.

21, 1789 (12th state in the Union) Seceded from the Union: May 20, 1861 (last state to do so) The state colors of North Carolina: Red and blue The state bird of North Carolina: Cardinal The state flower of North Carolina: Dogwood The state wildflower of North Carolina: Carolina Lily The state dog of North Carolina: Plott Hound The state tartan of North Carolina: Carolina Tartan The state shell of North Carolina: Scotch Bonnet The state tree of North Carolina: Longleaf Pine The state reptile of North Carolina: Eastern Box Turtle The state mammal of North Carolina: Gray squirrel The state butterfly of North Carolina: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail The state popular dance of North Carolina: Carolina Shag The state folk dance of North Carolina: Clogging The state berries of North Carolina: Strawberry and blueberry The state boat of North Carolina: Shad The state carnivorous plant of North Carolina: Venus Fly Trap The state fruit of North Carolina: Scuppernog grape The state insect of North Carolina: Honey bee The state rock of North Carolina: Granite The state precious stone of North Carolina: Emerald The state military academy of North Carolina: Oak Ridge Military Academy The

 state fish of North Carolina: Channel Bass The state beverage of North Carolina: Milk The state vegetable of North Carolina: Sweet potato The state horse of North Carolina: Colonial Spanish Mustang Tallest to Smallest Tallest lighthouse in the United States: Cape Hatteras North Carolina is the home of plenty of "largest" and "smallest" things and places: Largest private house in the world: Biltmore Estate Highest waterfall on the east coast: Whitewater Falls Largest freshwater sound in the world: Albemarle Sound Highest swinging bridge in the United States: Grandfather Mountain World's smallest daily newspaper: Tryon Daily Bulletin Tallest dam in the eastern United States: Fontana Dam Tallest sand dune in the eastern United States: Jockey's Ridge World's Largest Marine air base: Cherry Point in Havelock Eastern America's Highest Town: Beech Mountain at 5,506 feet North Carolina is the largest producer of sweep potatoes in the United States Famous Firsts North Carolina has been the home of a number of pretty amazing "firsts," including: Gold rush: Charlotte and surrounding area Gold mine: Reed's Gold Mine Drawbridge in the United States: Wilmington (Cape Fear River) Successful powered flight: The Wright Brothers at Kitty

 Hawk Public university in the United States: UNC Chapel Hill Miniature golf course: Fayetteville North Carolina: Map, History, Population, Facts, Capitol, Flag, Tree, Geography, Symbols North Carolina Governor: Pat McCrory, R (to Jan.

2017) Lieut. Governor: Dan Forest, R (to Jan. 2017) Senators: Richard Burr , R (to Jan. 2017); Thom Tillis, R (to Jan. 2021) Entered Union (rank): Nov. 21, 1789 (12) Present constitution adopted: 1971 “The Old North State” (1927) colors Nickname: Tar Heel State Origin of name: In honor of Charles I of England 10 largest cities (2012 est.): Charlotte , 775,202; Raleigh , 423,179; Greensboro , 277,080; Durham , 239,358; Winston-Salem , 234,349; Fayetteville , 202,103; Cary, 145,693; Wilmington, 109,922; High Point , 106,586; Greenville, 87,242 Land area: 48,711 sq mi.

(126,161 sq km) Geographic center: In Chatham Co., 10 mi. NW of Sanford Number of counties: 100 Largest county by population and area: Mecklenburg, 919,628 (2010); Robeson, 949 sq mi. State parks: 29 2015 resident population est.: 10,042,802 2010 resident census population (rank): 9,535,483 (10). Male: 4,645,492 (48.70%); Female: 4,889,991 (51.3%).

White: 6,528,950 (68.5%); Black: 2,048,628 (21.5%); American Indian: 122,110 (1.3%); Asian: 208,962 (2.2%); Other race: 414,030 (4.3%); Two or more races: 206,199 (2.2%); Hispanic/Latino: 800,120 (8.4%). 2010 percent population 18 and over: 76.1; 65 and over: 12.9; median age: 37.4. Map of North Carolina English colonists, sent by Sir Walter Raleigh , unsuccessfully attempted to settle Roanoke Island in 1585 and 1587. Virginia Dare , born there in 1587, was the first child of English parentage born in America. In 1653 the first permanent settlements were established by English colonists from Virginia near the Roanoke and Chowan rivers.

The region was established as an English proprietary colony in 1663–1665 and in its early history was the scene of Culpepper's Rebellion (1677), the Quaker-led Cary Rebellion (1708), the Tuscarora Indian War (1711–1713), and many pirate raids. During the American Revolution , there was relatively little fighting within the state, but many North Carolinians saw action elsewhere. Despite considerable pro-Union, antislavery sentiment, North Carolina joined the Confederacy during the Civil War . North Carolina's economy is experiencing a shift away from tobacco, furniture and textiles to knowledge-based enterprises such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. The state was ranked third best state for business in 2010 by Forbes magazine. The major agricultural products are tobacco, corn, cotton, hay, peanuts, and vegetable crops. The state is the country's leading producer of mica and lithium. Tourism is also important, with visitors spending more than $1 billion annually. Sports include year-round golfing, skiing at mountain resorts, both fresh- and salt-water fishing, and hunting.

Among the major attractions are the Great Smoky Mountains , the Blue Ridge National Parkway, the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kitty Hawk, Guilford Courthouse and Moores Creek National Military Parks, Carl Sandburg's home near Hendersonville, and the Old Salem Restoration in Winston-Salem . See more on North Carolina: North Carolina - Map of Cities in NC - MapQuest {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics North Carolina is bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains on one side and Atlantic-coast beaches on the other. The Tar Heel State was the site of many historical firsts, including the first professional home run by Babe Ruth, America’s first state-sponsored university (University of North Carolina) and the first manpowered flight, conducted by the Wright brothers. Fortunately for tourists, North Carolina also has natural beauty that goes toe-to-toe with its storied history. Visitors to western North Carolina experience the awe-inspiring majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway cuts a nonintrusive path through the rocks, forming a portion of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Many opt to drive the route; the road is winding, but worth the effort.

Travelers can take advantage of picturesque pull-offs and quaint picnic spots, which are especially picture-perfect in the autumn. And here, hikers access the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and traverse as far as the state’s coastline. Nearby, tourists can explore the hip, artistic town of Asheville. Home to the University of North Carolina Asheville, this little college town is stuffed with farm-to-table restaurants, live-music venues and eclectic shops. Also nestled in this blossoming creative community is the renowned Biltmore Mansion, particularly splendid around the holidays. Heading eastward to Charlotte, sports fans get their adrenaline pumping at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the home of NASCAR, and at the Carolina Panther’s stomping grounds, Bank of America Stadium. Also in Charlotte, the North Carolina Museum of Art houses one of the country’s premier collections of European art, as well as exhibits by American artists like Georgia O’Keeffe. Along the coastline is the series of islands called the Outer Banks, once home of the pirate, Blackbeard. Between these barrier islands and the mainland, currents from the Gulf Stream and the Arctic converge, making the site responsible for the sinking of many nautical vessels of yesteryear, including the U.S.S. Monitor.

Visitors to this area, known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, can tour the on-site museum. Before leaving, travelers can hop a boat for Shackleford, an island between Cape Lookout and Beaufort Banks, to watch wild horses. Visitors can observe these untamed steeds from the water or by land, should they want to get a closer look. North Carolina – The Tar Heel State | InterExchange North Carolina – The Tar Heel State Southeast North Carolina North Carolina is located in the southeastern United States. It is hot and humid in summer while temperatures are mild in winter. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit. Georgia's northern neighbor is home to the Appalachian music and culture of the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains (the most visited National Park in the entire country). From tobacco farms and cotton plantations to vineyards and large cities including Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Fayetteville, North Carolina is one of the nation's most charming vacation spots. The Outer Banks (achain of islands), with its beaches and sand dunes, is known for its famous lighthouses and wild horses. To travel around the state, you will need to rent a car, book a bus or train ticket.

For more information visit: visitnc.com . Historical Sites & Tourist Attractions Town Creek Indian Mound. Photo by Zachary Williams . Add some local history to your cultural exchange experience by visiting a nearby historical site or tourist attraction when living and working in the U.S. Historical Sites The International Civil Rights Center and Museum memorializes the Greensboro Four, a group of African-American men who participated in a sit to protest racial segregation policies, and honors the civil rights movement across the United States. Visitors can enjoy tours, music events, educational program, lectures and films during their time at the museum. See the Events Calendar for further details. Old Salem Museum & Gardens is a restored historic town in Winston-Salem that teaches visitors about the culture of the Moravian community in the 18th and 19th century. Visitors can see historical exhibits, watch traditional craftsmen at work, and explore the gardens and museums of Old Salem. Stagville State Historic Site was one the site of one of the largest plantations in the Southern United States before the Civil War. The site now teaches visitors about the families and slaves that once lived at the plantation.

Original structures like the plantation home, slave quarters, the Great Barn and a family cemetery can be seen on tours of the site and during special events held at Historic Stagville. The Town Creek Indian Mound is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to American Indian heritage. The site has been identified as a public meeting place and ceremonial area for the Pee Dee Indians during the Pre-Columbian era. Today visitors can see historic structures, outdoor exhibits, nature trails and other sites. Tourist Attractions The Battleship USS North Carolina was present at all major naval battles in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Visitors can now take self-guided tours of the battleship or sign up for special tours and events . At the North Carolina Museum of History , visitors can learn about the history of North Carolina from its early inhabitants up to the 20th century, including historical events like the Civil War, the making of Gone with the Wind, the civil rights movement and the growth of the Latino community. Oconaluftee Indian Village is a recreated 18th century Cherokee village. Visitors can take self-guided tours, see live reenactments of historical events, participate in interactive demonstrations and learn about events and figures from 1760.

Wright Brothers National Memorial marks the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully completed the first powered flight. Visitors can see reproductions of the Wright Brothers’ glider and flying machines, view exhibits and films, and see the flight paths where the flying machines first took off. Tour Companies Official North Carolina Travel & Tourism website Arts & Culture The United States offers a wide variety of cultural learning opportunities through the arts. Dance, music, theater, opera, art museums and festivals are just some of the options available to international visitors who wish to learn more about the U.S. and its culture. Museums and Art Organizations Asheville Area Arts Council (AAAC) promotes art and culture in the Asheville region. The ARTERY, the council’s multipurpose exhibition facility, hosts art exhibits, workshops and programs, rehearsal space for performing artists, and small events. Upcoming events, gallery exhibits and programs are available on the AAAC Events page . Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte is dedicated to mid-20th century European modern art. The Carl Sandburg Home is open for tours and nature walks around the 264-acre property.

Sandburg was a writer, folk singer, activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and is an admired literary figure in the United States. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture in Charlotte focuses on African American art, history and culture. The center has permanent collections of artwork, exhibitions, educational programs, lectures and workshops. Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City exhibits pieces of cultural history from northeastern North Carolina. Special events and educational programs are also held at the museum throughout the year. Film Festivals The Charlotte Film Festival in March screens hundreds of independent films and documentaries from around the world in Charlotte, North Carolina. Discussions, panels, workshops and educational programs are also held throughout the festival. Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in April is an admired international film event dedicated to nonfiction films. The event has hundreds of film screenings and panels, educational programs and discussions at multiple venues in Durham. See a full list of film festivals in North Carolina at the Film NC website. Performing Arts Venues The North Carolina Arts Council has information on art trails, museums and galleries, performing arts, and art events throughout North Carolina.

Sports & Recreation Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano drving down pit road in the 2009 Coca-Cola 600. Photo by tequilamike . Many Americans are passionate about sports – and not just baseball and football! Get a glimpse into this part of American culture by watching or participating in a favorite U.S. sport or recreational activity in your local area. Motorsports North Carolina is home to 80% of NASCAR racing teams and the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the site of the Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600. Stock car racing is also the official state sport of North Carolina. To learn more about racing events at the speedway and to purchase tickets, visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway website . Visitors can also go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Professional Sports Teams Carolina Panthers (football) College Sports Teams North Carolina is known for its college basketball teams, especially the basketball rivalry between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils . Other college teams include: West Carolina Catamounts Outdoor Activities The United States is home to a variety of landscapes and climates to suit all types of outdoor activities.

The courageous traveler can find extreme sports and outdoor adventure tours, while others may want to keep both feet on the ground in a national park or forest. Whatever your interests, take advantage of the many outdoor activities available during your time in the United States. The Appalachian Trail is a backpacking trail running from Georgia to Maine. Visitors can hike a section of the Appalachian Trail within North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both beginner and advanced hikers will find trails to suit their skill level. The Biltmore in Asheville is the former home of George Vanderbilt. Visitors can tour the 8,000-acre estate, house and gardens or participate in outdoor activities like fly-fishing, horseback riding, biking and river trips. Grandfather Mountain is a tourist attraction and state park in the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Popular outdoor activities on the mountain include hiking, wildlife viewing and camping. Guided hikes are also available for visitors. The Outer Banks are a group of barrier islands along the Atlantic Coast of North Carolina and a popular vacation destination for visitors and residents. Many outdoor activities can be found in the Outer Banks throughout the year, including biking, fishing, swimming, windsurfing, boating, kayaking, off-road driving and ecotours.

Visitors will find six full-service ski and snowboard areas in North Carolina with trails for all skill levels. Other winter activities like snow tubing and sledding are also available throughout North Carolina. For more outdoor activities and things to do in North Carolina, visit the North Carolina tourism website . Food One of the best ways to experience cultural exchange is through food and cooking. Visitors will enjoy exploring the regional specialties and local cuisine during their time in the United States. As part of the Southern United States, North Carolina cuisine includes many Southern specialties like corn bread, hush puppies, grits, fried chicken and barbecue. As a coastal state, seafood is also a popular option when eating in NC. Farmers’ Markets Find a farmers’ market in North Carolina by visiting the state’s Department of Agriculture website and North Carolina Farm Fresh . Food Festivals Barbecue Festival in Lexington, October Local Festivals For a unique and local perspective on American cultural, be sure to check out festivals and events near your cultural exchange program location. These events are a fun and interesting way to interact with locals and to learn more about American culture by experiencing it firsthand. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are one of the largest Highland events in North America.

Scottish culture is an important part of North Carolina’s heritage due to the many Scottish clans that traveled to the state in the 18th century. Today, the culture is celebrated at the Grandfather Mountain Highland games where visitors can enjoy live music and dancing, food and events like Highland wrestling, tug-of-war and the hammer throw. The Storytelling Festival of Carolina in Laurinburg, NC features storytelling and music over three days in March. Other events, like storytelling classes and workshops, arts and craft sales, food vendors and nature walks, are also held throughout the event. The Multicultural Festival in Lexington is held each May at Finch Park. The event celebrates many cultural groups including African-American, Asian, European, Latino and Native American. Each group shares their native dress, music, art and food. Other attractions, like arts and craft vendors, exhibits, rides and parades, are also held at the event. Bele Chere is a three-day music and arts festival in historic Downtown Asheville with arts and crafts, live entertainment and attractions. The free outdoor event is held each July. In September, the Kuumba Festival celebrates African-American culture.

Entertainment, children’s activities, food, storytelling, dance and live music are some of the main events during the festival. Housing Resources Carl Sandburg house in Flat Rock. Photo by Sheila Scarborough . Employers may be able to assist with housing during your time in the United States, but this is not always possible for all participants. When looking for housing during your cultural exchange program, consider the cost of the accommodation, the distance to your work place and the amount of time you will be in the United States. It's also important to avoid fraudulent housing. It is highly recommended that you secure short-term housing upon arrival (e.g. in a hostel) and conduct your housing search once you are in the U.S. Never give your financial information to a stranger over the Internet. Browse the Housing Information guides for InterExchange participants below for more tips and advice. General Housing Information HostelsUSA.com Transportation Public transportation options can be hit or miss, depending on your location in the United States. Buses are a common transportation option for short and long-term travel in the U.S., while some areas will also have trains, subways and other options. Visit the American Public Transportation Association website for a complete list of public transportation options in your local community.

Charlotte Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides bus and train service in the greater Charlotte area. Raleigh Triangle Transit serves the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. Find bus schedules, routes and other information on the Triangle Transit website . Durham Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) operate bus routes in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Greensboro Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation bus routes serve Greensboro and the Piedmont area. Winston-Salem Winston-Salem Transit Authority operates bus routes in the Winston-Salem region. Train Travel in North Carolina Amtrak travels to many destinations in North Carolina , including Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Durham and others. Amtrak trains also connect to many bus services, providing transportation across North Carolina and the United States. Bus Travel in North Carolina Greyhound buses travel to many North Carolina locations . Bus routes, tickets and schedules can be found on the Greyhound website . Health & Safety Participants in North Carolina can use the following resources in case of an emergency or extreme weather event in their area: Emergency Management Agencies Weather – Western North Carolina Help Your Community Interact with others and expand your skill set by volunteering in your local community.

Volunteer organizations are often looking for short-term volunteers or for individuals to help with a single event, making it a great option for InterExchange participants who wish to add to their cultural exchange experience during their time in the United States. Volunteermatch.org , Idealist.org and Serve.gov are three general volunteer websites that match local organizations with volunteers in their communities. Help at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina on an on-going basis or for a one-time project. Volunteer opportunities are available for both individuals and groups. Habitat for Humanity of Wake County needs volunteers of all skill levels to help build homes and to support the organization. Hands On Charlotte help volunteers find the right opportunities based on their interests, skills and time commitment. Browse the volunteer calendar or search for specific opportunities on the Hands On Charlotte website. Volunteer with Hands On Asheville-Buncombe and volunteer for one hour, one week or on an on-going basis. Visit the website to search for an opportunity or browse the volunteer calendar for upcoming events. The Volunteer Center of Durham has many opportunities to help out in the local community, including many volunteer projects with short or one-time commitments. Looking for our classic website? We're still moving everything over to the new look.

These Are The 10 Dumbest Cities In North Carolina - RoadSnacks These Are The 10 Dumbest Cities In North Carolina We used science and data to determine which of North Carolina’s cities are dumb as rocks. Melanie James, RoadSnacks December 27, 2015 - 52,910 views Join RoadSnacks ▼jim Get snackable content about where you live. Like RoadSnacks on Facebook: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out. Swipe left for slideshow. Article continues below. Advertisement. Article Continues Below. Let’s face it: some places are magnificently stupid. But how are you supposed to know which places are dummy-central before you go there yourself? You dig around the data and look for things that make a place stupid, whether it’s because a large portion of a city’s population never completed high school, or the up-and-coming generation doesn’t have enough schools or teachers. After crunching the numbers, we came up with this list of the ten dumbest cities in the Tar Heel State: Kannapolis Advertisement. Article Continues Below.

How we determined the dumbest places in North Carolina We realize that formal education isn’t everything when it comes to being smart, but on the other hand not knowing the difference between they’re, their, and there is always going to make you look pretty stupid. So we narrowed down our criteria to focus both on a city’s educational opportunities and what percentage of the population takes advantage of those opportunities. In short, we came up with these criteria to determine the dumbest cities in North Carolina: % of city’s population with less than a high school education Public schools per capita Private schools per capita Student teacher ratio Note: We only looked at cities with populations greater than 5,000, leaving us 94 cities in North Carolina to rank. We also looked at the graduation rates of the entire population, not the current rates for high schoolers. Advertisement. Article Continues Below. Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 15% Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 2% According to the data, Kannapolis is the dumbest place in North Carolina overall, mostly due to its lack of schools.

Kannapolis only has one private school in a town of 42,845, making it the city with the least private schools per capita. And it’s not like the city makes up for it with an abundance of public schools, because Kannapolis also has among the least public schools per capita. With so few places to get an education in Kannapolis, it isn’t surprising that more than a quarter of the city is walking around without a high school education. By the looks of it, the city is the dumbest in North Carolina now, and plans on staying that way through the next generation. Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 25% Student-teacher ratio rank: Bottom 5% Next stop on the stupid train is Thomasville, a city where nearly a third of the residents failed to complete high school, which is one of the worst rates in North Carolina. Even if you’re trying your best to be smart here, the horrendous 20:1 student-teacher ratio is going to make things tough for you.

On top of having the fourth worst student-teacher ratio in the state and the seventh worst GED completion rate, Thomasville is also in the bottom 25% in state for private schools per capita, so there’s really nowhere to get ahead. Thomasville also has a huge chair on display and boasts of having the “world’s largest chair” even though several larger ones have been built. We just wanted to emphasize our point here. 3. Wilson Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 5% Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 5% Student-teacher ratio rank: Bottom 5% Cornelius is a very different breed of stupid city compared to the top three; its high school graduation rate is actually the tenth best in the state. Yet in every other category, Cornelius receives F’s: the worst public schools per capita in the state (only one in a town of over 20,000), the fifth worst private schools per capita, and the very worst student-teacher ratio in North Carolina.

And this terrible student-teacher ratio isn’t just slightly worse than the rest of the state; the 32:1 ratio is 40% worse than the second worst, and more than twice as bad as the state average. Source: Facebook user Alamance County Heritage, Culture & Fun Population: 50,355 Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 25% Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 15% The fact that Burlington’s 23.2% high school graduation rate is only the 40th worst in the state makes me worry about North Carolina’s future, but in relative terms, Burlington doesn’t fare too poorly in this category. As far as providing an adequate amount of schools, however, Burlington is near the bottom of the barrel for both public and private options. There are only three private schools in a town of over 50,000, which is the 10th worst private schools available per capita in North Carolina. 6.

Cary Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 5% Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 5% Student-teacher ratio rank: Bottom 20% Clearly, Cary’s not on this list because of its current generation of alumni; 93.4% of folks walking around Cary have graduated high school, which is actually the sixth highest rate in North Carolina. When it comes to investing in the future, though, Cary is way behind; the city has the second least private school options per capita, the fourth lowest public schools per capita, and is near the bottom of the barrel in terms of student-teacher ratio. Only having 18 total schools in a city of over 135,000 and a 16:1 student-teacher ratio is not a recipe for ensuring a well-educated populace down the road. 7.

Gastonia Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 10% Private schools per capita rank: Bottom 25% Student-teacher ratio rank: Bottom 20% These Are The 10 Cities In North Carolina With The Most KKK Members One of the fastest growing cities in America also turns out to be one of the dumbest – which begs the question whether the new residents are infecting Charlotte with their stupidity, or slowly diluting the fog of witlessness. In any case, Charlotte has the 9th fewest public schools per capita, and ties for one of the worst student-teacher ratios in the state. On the other hand, Charlotte residents are much better than folks in most cities in North Carolina when it comes to finishing high school, which helps keep Charlotte out of the top five. 9. Asheboro Public schools per capita rank: Bottom 10% Student-teacher ratio rank: Bottom 5% Two problems ail Huntersville: A very poor student-teacher ratio, and a severe lack of public schools (seven in a city of over 45,000).

The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is tied for the second worst in state, but a healthy amount of private school options keep Huntersville at the bottom of this list. Huntersville has 12.8% more high school graduates than the national average. Which is something to build on. Closing the books So when you crunch the numbers, those are the dumbest cities in North Carolina. If you’re curious, here are the five smartest cities in North Carolina: 1. Hillsborough The Tar Heel State's Political Map : Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball : Export date: Thu Jan 19 22:45:38 2017 / +0000 GMT The Tar Heel State's Political Map The Tar Heel State has grown steadily over the past decade. After being the “last in” in 2000 -- North Carolina was awarded the final House seat in reapportionment, bringing its tally to 13 -- it was the “first out” in 2010 -- falling just short of the population needed for a 14th seat.

Statewide, population grew by 18.5% over those 10 years. The state's growth has centered in urban areas, changing North Carolina's political and cultural disposition. Raleigh and Charlotte, the state's two largest cities, each saw population growth of over 30% between 2000 and 2010, while most rural counties grew at less than half that rate. As the chart below shows, the political power in North Carolina now lies in a trio of urban centers: Charlotte, the Triangle (anchored around Raleigh, the state's capital and fastest-growing city), and the Triad (comprised primarily of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point). Those three regions now contain nearly two-thirds of the state's population, wielding outsized political influence in a state where political power has historically been diffuse. Chart 1: Regional two-party vote, 2008 Election Democrats are excited about their chances with growing urban concentrations of voters with advanced degrees -- historically a friendly group to Dems. Republicans are not relying solely on dispersed rural voters, but have made inroads in urban areas as well -- a must if they are to stay competitive given the state's changing political balance.

In 2010, the GOP took over the state legislature for the first time since 1870 -- a sign they can compete even as the state becomes more urban and less white. Charlotte will perhaps be the most intriguing battleground in the 2012 presidential race. President Obama won the Queen City's Mecklenburg County with 62% of the vote in 2008 and Democrats will host their national convention there in September. Charlotte voters, however, live and work in the country's second-largest financial center -- home to Bank of America -- and may sympathize with Mitt Romney if attacks on his Bain background remain a centerpiece of the Obama campaign. In 2012 and beyond, both parties will be tested as they scramble to adapt to this shifting battleground. Map 1: Political map of North Carolina Map 2: Geographic map of North Carolina NOTES: Click on the maps for larger versions. Regions are based on the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the geographical definitions of regional partnership organizations in North Carolina.

Post date: 2012-07-05 00:32:10 Post date GMT: 2012-07-05 04:32:10 Export date: Thu Jan 19 22:45:38 2017 / +0000 GMT This page was exported from Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball [ ] Export of Post and Page has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from A Brief History of North Carolina Homophobia | Advocate.com A Brief History of North Carolina Homophobia By Trudy Ring Tar Heel Homophobes We would never suggest that all North Carolinians are homophobic or transphobic. In fact, we believe the vast majority are not. But a few prominent anti-LGBT types were sullying the state's reputation long before the passage of the infamous House Bill 2, and some of them, along with some new faces, lobbied for that legislation, signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory (top right) in March. Click through to read about the hateful actions of Jesse Helms, Franklin Graham, Patrick Wooden, and more from the Tar Heel State.

The Greensboro Gay Purge With a population of about 270,000, Greensboro is North Carolina's third largest city (Charlotte is the largest, and Raleigh, the state capital, is second), and is generally a liberal place, being home to a University of North Carolina campus and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. But liberalism did not extend to gay people in the closeted 1950s. When Paul Calhoun became Greensboro's police chief in the summer of 1956, he sought to purge the city of gays. He claimed his purpose was to "remove these individuals from society who would prey upon our youth," but his effort resulted in arrests almost exclusively for sexual activity that took place in private between consenting adults. "There had always been homosexuals, but the police never pursued them with such intensity, never before and never since," defense attorney Lawrence Egerton told the Greensboro News & Record in 2007. "The truth? It was a long, hot summer, and the police had nothing to do." The investigation finally ended when informants began naming prominent people in the city — those whose prosecution would offend the politically powerful. The less prominent were not so fortunate.

In February 1957, a grand jury in Guilford County, which includes Greensboro, indicted 32 men on charges of engaging in "the abominable and detestable crime against nature" — that is, having gay sex. The trials that went on that winter and spring saw them all convicted, with 24 receiving prison terms of five to 20 years, some of them spending time on chain gangs. In the process, lives were ruined; as an example, the News & Record article noted, one of the defendants was cut off from his son for the rest of his life and dishonorably discharged from the Army. He also never registered to vote, because he was afraid that it would bring up his criminal record. "The legacy of the trials," the News & Record concluded, "was denial and fear." Sodomy Law Still on the Books The men in the Greensboro "gay purge" were charged under the state's sodomy law, enacted in 1836. It outlawed "the abominable and detestable crime against nature, not to be named among Christians, with either man or beast." Until 1868, it included a provision calling for the death penalty as punishment.

That was replaced with 20 to 60 years in prison, then with five to 60. Courts held that the law covered oral as well as anal sex. Drew Pearson, who would grow up to be a famous political columnist, was arrested under the law as a teenager in the early 20th century but was acquitted. Originally a liberal, he became, in the 1960s, noted for using his columns to accuse politicians of being gay — which had negative implications in his mind and the minds of most of his readers. North Carolina legislators voted down attempts to repeal the sodomy law, but it finally, like those in other states, was struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. Some North Carolina police and sheriff's departments, though, continued to enforce the law for a time, claiming that Lawrence applied only to sex in private, so they could arrest people seeking sex in parks, for instance. There haven't been reports of attempts to enforce it in recent years, but it does remain on the books, which is the case in several other states as well.

“Court rulings can prevent enforcement of a statue, but it doesn’t wipe the statute off the books,” said Maxine Eichner, a law professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the campus newspaper, the Daily Tar Heel, this year. “For this statute to be wiped off the books, it has to be repealed by the legislature, and they sometimes repeal outdated laws, but certainly not always.” Flip Benham: Gay Agenda Is Devil's Agenda Among the most prominent anti-LGBT activists based in North Carolina is Philip "Flip" Benham, director of Operation Save America, which grew out of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue. Benham, a former minister, moved the organization's headquarters to Concord, N.C., in 2002. Benham is not only fiercely opposed to abortion rights; he is devoutly anti-Muslim and anti-LGBT. In 2003, for instance, Benham screamed at participants all the way through a mass commitment ceremony at Charlotte Pride. He descended on Charlotte Pride again in 2011, preaching over a loudspeaker about the sin of homosexuality. In 2014, after marriage equality came to North Carolina, he disrupted several same-sex couples' weddings.

Just last year, he accosted a young transgender woman as she was leaving a restroom at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, calling her "young man," "punk," and "pervert," and claiming she was endangering children by using the women's bathroom. And he has claimed "the homosexual agenda" is "the devil's agenda." Not surprisingly, Benham has endorsed Ted Cruz in the 2016 presidential race. Also not surprisingly, he has passed his views on to his sons. Read on. Benham Brothers: LGBT Folks 'Vile,' 'Depraved' Flip Benham's telegenic twin sons, David and Jason, are real estate entrepreneurs who famously had an HGTV show pulled out from under them in 2014 because of their history of anti-LGBT activism. It's quite a history, and they're still adding to it. In 2004 they sought to persuade the Charlotte City Council to deny a permit for an LGBT Pride parade. "This is filth, this is vile and should not be allowed in our city,” David said at the time.

(The brothers are actually based in nearby Concord.) In 2015, when Charlotte first considered an LGBT-inclusive public accommodations ordinance, David called it “depraved” and the latest example of “the radical gay agenda’s plan to change America.” The ordinance failed to pass then, but it came up again this year and passed — despite the efforts of the Benhams and other far-right types, In the wake of its passage, the twins posted a Facebook video in which Jason said the two could now “declare ourselves women” and play in the WNBA. David termed the ordinance “ungodly,” said it was the “direct result of God’s judgment” for legal abortion, and asserted that it would lead to “young women and girls” being “victimized.” The state legislature quickly passed HB 2 to prevent the ordinance from going into effect and to block other cities from adopting similar ones. The brothers have, naturally, praised that move. "North Carolina is showing the nation what operating under God looks like," Jason said at a rally this month. Franklin Graham: Charlotte Law Was 'Wicked' The Rev.

Billy Graham is not particularly known for anti-LGBT activism; although, as a biblical literalist, he has said homosexuality is a sin, he never made that a hallmark of his preaching. Not so with his son and heir, Charlotte-based Franklin Graham, who took over as CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 2000. He has said that when gays and lesbians adopt children, they're "recruiting." He has praised Russia's "gay propaganda" law. He has said President Obama is promoting "immorality" by calling on nations abroad to treat their LGBT residents as first-class citizens. He pulled his association's bank accounts from Wells Fargo because of the company's LGBT-inclusive advertising, only to move them to another LGBT-friendly institution, BB&T, and he gave a convoluted explanation, saying Wells Fargo's ads amounted to advocacy. He spoke out against the Charlotte LGBT rights ordinance before it was adopted this year, calling it "wicked" and "filthy." Amid the outcry over HB 2's revocation of the ordinance, he has not backed down. “Men have no business using women’s bathrooms and locker rooms. Period,” he posted to Facebook Friday.

“It’s not up to us to decide our sex—God determines that.” Patrick Wooden, Minister Obsessed With Gay Sex Another North Carolina–based minister, Rev. Patrick Wooden, gives Flip Benham and Franklin Graham a run for their money when it comes to homophobia. In 2012, as the state prepared to vote on Amendment One, which wrote a ban on same-sex marriage into the North Carolina constitution, he made many graphic and inflammatory comments about anal sex. In an interview with antigay activist Peter LaBarbera, he claimed that many gay men must wear diapers for incontinence as a result of anal sex and offered undocumented anecdotes about objects including cell phones and baseball bats being removed from gay men’s rectums. He has also said, “The God of the Bible made the human sperm, the God of the Bible designed it, and it was not designed to be emptied into an area that is filled with feces,” and that gay sex would “most certainly mean the extinction of the human race.” Amendment One And about Amendment One: Wooden and his ilk succeeded in persuading voters to approve it.

North Carolina had banned same-sex marriage by statute in the 1990s, when it looked like Hawaii would be the first state with marriage equality. But antigay forces in the state felt the need for a stronger ban, so they sought to put it in the state's constitution; North Carolina was the only Southern state without a constitutional ban. Its approval by voters came a hard-fought battle that even saw the aforementioned Billy Graham make a rare political statement by taking out a full-page newspaper ad supporting it; with Graham being in his 90s and largely retired, some wondered if he actually authored the ad, or if it came from his more outspokenly homophobic son, Franklin. At any rate, despite opposition throughout the nation, including from the likes of President Obama and Vice President Biden, Amendment One passed by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent. At a rally celebrating the vote, Tami Fitzgerald, chairwoman of Vote for Marriage NC, said, “We are not antigay — we are pro-marriage.

And the point, the whole point is simply that you don’t rewrite the nature of God’s design for marriage based on the demands of a group of adults.” Resisting Marriage Equality Despite Amendment One, North Carolina couldn't avoid the marriage equality juggernaut for long. In 2014, two federal judges found the state's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Its attorney general had ceased defending the ban, but North Carolina's two highest-ranking legislators — Senate President Phil Berger (right) and House Speaker Thom Tillis — sought to intervene in the case and appeal. One of the judges OK'd their request, but they still couldn't stop marriage equality from coming to the state. A Marriage Equality Opt-Out After the courts brought marriage equality to North Carolina, some public employees objected. Some magistrates, county officials who among other things are empowered to perform marriages, didn't want to provide the service to same-sex couples. The legislature responded by passing a law that allows magistrates to opt out of all marriage ceremonies if they have faith-based objections. Gov. Pat McCrory (pictured) actually vetoed the measure, but legislators overrode his action. The exemption lasts for six months for a given magistrate but is renewable.

The law is now being challenged in court by couples who say the magistrates' religious beliefs shouldn't interfere with their government duties. No Legal Protections North Carolina lawmakers have turned back attempts to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, or to include crimes based on these traits in hate-crimes law. Of a late-'90s attempt to expand the hate-crimes statute, Bill Brooks of the far-right Family Policy Council told The Charlotte Observer, "It’s an attempt by [gays] to gain legitimacy, a legal legitimacy, for their lifestyle." This year, amid the backlash over HB 2, Gov. McCrory issued an executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination — covering employees of state government only. It was cold comfort to other LGBT North Carolinians. Jesse Helms, King of Homophobes No discussion of homophobia emanating from North Carolina would be complete without a mention of Jesse Helms, the late U.S. senator who's in the running for king of all homophobes.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Helms used his national platform to demonize gay men with AIDS, saying at one point, "It's their deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct that is responsible for the disease." He fought federal funding for AIDS research and managed to get the U.S. to block entry into the county by HIV-positive visitors and immigrants, a policy that remained in place until President Obama's administration. Helms's hostility led activists to famously tent his home with a giant condom. He was also known for condemning homoerotic art and its funding by the federal government. Helms, who got his start as a right-wing TV and radio commentator in his native North Carolina, served 30 years in the Senate, from 1973 to 2003; in addition to being antigay, he espoused anti-abortion, anti-Communist, and often outright racist views. He died in 2008 at age 86, lionized by many conservatives but unmourned by most LGBT Americans. related slideshows

Question: Charlotte is the largest city in the 'Tar Heel State'. Which state?
Answer: NORTH CAROLINA